>v* 

Gc\6<s.  . 

/ 

THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 

AGAINST 

THE  REV.  CHARLES  A.  BRIGGS,  D.  D. 


Cj  .  0\  ."Bnclos  ( CM 


D  EPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  PROSECUTION, 
WITH  CHARGES  AND  SPECIFICATIONS  SUB¬ 
MITTED  TO  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  NEW  YORK, 
OCTOBER  5TH,  1891,  BY  THE  COMMITTEE  OF 
PROSECUTION. 


George  W.  F.  Birch,  D.  D., 
Joseph  J.  Lampe,  D.  D., 
Robert  F.  Sample,  D.  D., 
John  J.  Stevenson, 

John  J.  McCook, 


Committee 


of 

Prosecution. 


THE  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  IN  THE 


UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA, 


AGAINST 

THE  REV.  CHARLES  A.  BRIGGS,  D.  D. 


REPORT  OF  THE  COMMITTEE  OF  PROSECUTION, 
WITH  CHARGES  AND  SPECIFICATIONS  SUB¬ 
MITTED  TO  THE  PRESBYTERY  OF  NEW  YORK, 
OCTOBER  5TH,  1891,  BY  THE  COMMITTEE  OF 
PROSECUTION. 


George  W.  F.  Birch,  D.  D., 
Joseph  J.  Lampe,  D.  D., 
Robert  F,  Sample,  D.  D., 
John  J.  Stevenson, 

John  J.  McCook, 


Committee 

of 

Prosecution. 


JOHN  C.  RANKIN  CO.,  PRINTERS, 
34  CORTLANDT  ST.,  NEW  YORK. 


New  York,  October  5th,  1891. 


To  the  Presbytery  of  New  York: 

The  Committee  of  Prosecution,  in  the  case  of  Dr. 
Briggs,  appointed  in  compliance  with  Section  11  of  the 
Book  of  Discipline,  at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery  in 
May  last,  report  as  follows : 

Inasmuch  as  four  of  their  number  were  absent  in  the 
performance  of  their  duties  as  commissioners  at  the 
session  of  the  General  Assembly  held  at  Detroit,  and  as 
Dr.  Briggs  had  sailed  for  Europe,  to  be  absent  until 
autumn,  they  made  a  report  of  progress  at  the  meeting 
of  Presbytery  in  June,  indicating  their  intention  of 
presenting  the  charges  and  specifications  at  the  meeting 
of  Presbytery  in  October. 

The  Committee  have  decided  to  base  charges  and 
specifications  upon  what  is  contained  in  Dr.  Briggs’ 
inaugural  address  alone.  Their  reasons  for  adopting 
this  course  are  as  follows : 

I.  By  direction  of  the  Presbytery,  the  inaugural 
address  was  the  original  subject  of  inquiry  by  the  Com¬ 
mittee  of  Presbytery  appointed  on  April  13,  1891,  and 
it  was  upon  the  report  of  that  Committee  that  a  judicial 
investigation  was  instituted. 

II.  Because  of  the  recent  publication  of  the  inaugural 
address.  In  this  way  any  objection  which  might  be 
made,  under  the  limitation  of  Section  117,  of  the  Book 
of  Discipline,  as  to  the  length  of  time  which  has  elapsed 
since  the  publication  of  earlier  works,  has  been  avoided. 

III.  Because  the  inaugural  address  may  be  regarded 
as  the  most  deliberate  and  emphatic  expression  of 
Dr.  Briggs’  doctrine,  and  therefore  representing  most 


4 

fairly  his  position  with  respect  to  those  doctrines 
upon  which  the  charges  and  specifications  are  based. 
Since  the  inaugural  address  was  first  delivered  an 
published,  it  has  been  widely  criticised,  but  in  .  spite 
of  these  criticisms,  a  second  edition  has  been  published, 
in  which  all  the  doctrines  set  forth  in  the  first  edition 
are  presented  without  modification,  being  rather  re¬ 
affirmed  and  emphasized  in  a  preface  and  in  an  appendix. 

IV.  Because  of  the  vital  importance  of  the  doctrines 
with  which  the  inaugural  address  deals. 

V.  Because  the  address  was  delivered  as  an  intro¬ 
duction  to  a  course  of  lectures  on  Biblical  theology,  and 
is  therefore  to  be  taken  as  a  formal  declaration  of  the 
Professor’s  attitude  with  respect  to  some  of  the  moi  e  im¬ 
portant  subjects  in  his  new  department. 

It  has  been  decided  by  your  Committee  that  it  is 
neither  necessary  nor  advisable  to  embrace  in  the  list  of 
charges  all  the  doctrinal  errors  contained  in  the  inaug¬ 
ural  address,  and,  while  its  teachings  respecting  mil 
acles,  the  original  condition  of  man,  the  natur e  of  sin, 
race  redemption  and  Dr.  Briggs’  scheme  of  Biblical 
theology  in  general,  are  not  in  harmony  with  the  Sciip- 
tures,  and  are  calculated  to  weaken  confidence  in  the 
Word  of  God,  and  to  encourage  presumption  on  the 
clemency  and  long-suffering  of  God,  yet  in  order  that  we 
may  avoid  an  undue  extension  of  the  trial,  and  the  confu¬ 
sion  of  thought  that  might  follow  an  attempt  to  compass 
all  the  errors  contained  in  said  address,  we  have  deemed 
it  best  to  confine  attention  to  a  few  departures  from  the 
teachings  of  the  Scriptures  which  are  fundamental  to 
the  entire  discussion. 

Furthermore,  your  committee  is  not  unmindful  of 
the  fact  that  the  erroneous  and  ill-advised  utterances  of 
Dr.  Briggs  in  the  inaugural  address  have  seriously 
disturbed  the  peace  of  the  Church  and  led  to  a  situation 
full  of  difficulty  and  complication,  and  have  produced 
such  widespread  uneasiness  and  agitation  throughout 
the  Church  as  to  cause  sixty-three  Presbyteries  to  over- 


5 


ture  the  General  Assembly  with  reference  to  the  same, 
yet  for  the  reasons  above  given  we  have  determined 
not  to  include  this  grave  offence  against  the  peace  of 
the  Church  in  the  list  of  formal  charges. 

The  committee  present  the  following  charges  and 
specifications,  which,  in  compliance  with  the  provisions 
of  Section  io,  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  it  becomes 
their  duty  to  prosecute  in  the  name  and  by  the  author¬ 
ity  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America. 

CHARGES  AND  SPECIFICATIONS. 

Charge  I. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Reverend  Charles  A.  Briggs, 
D.  D.,  being  a  Minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church, 
and  a  member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  with 
teaching  doctrines  which  conflict  irreconcilably  with 
and  are  contrary  to  the  cardinal  doctrine  taught  in  the 
Holy  Scriptures  and  contained  in  the  Standards  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  Old 
and  New  Testaments  are  the  only  infallible  rule  of  faith 
and  practice. 

These  hurtful  errors,  striking  at  the  vitals  of  religion, 
and  contrary  to  the  regulations  and  practice  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church,  were  promulgated  in  an  inaugu¬ 
ral  address  which  Dr.  Briggs  delivered  at  the  Union 
Theological  Seminary  in  the  city  of  New  York,  January 
20th,  1891,  on  the  occasion  of  his  induction  into  the 
Edward  Robinson  Chair  of  Biblical  Theology,  which 
address  has,  with  Dr.  Briggs’  approval,  been  published 
and  extensively  circulated,  and  republished  in  a  second 
edition  with  a  preface  and  an  appendix. 

SPECIFICATION  I. 

Dr.  Briggs  declares  that  “  there  are  historically  three 
great  fountains  of  divine  authority — the  Bible,  the 


6 


Church  and  the  Reason  ” — thus  making  the  Church  and 
the  Reason  each  to  be  an  independent  and  sufficient 
fountain  of  divine  authority. 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  25,  “  The  majority  of  Christians  from  the  apos¬ 
tolic  age  have  found  God  through  the  Church.  Mar¬ 
tyrs  and  saints,  fathers  and  schoolmen,  the  profoundest 
intellects,  the  saintliest  lives,  have  had  this  experience.’" 

Page  26,  “  Nevertheless,  the  Church  is  a  seat  of 
divine  authority,  and  the  multitudes  of  pious  souls  in 
the  present  and  the  past  have  not  been  mistaken  in  their 
experience  when  they  have  found  God  in  the  Church.” 

Page  26,  “  Another  means  used  by  God  to  make 
Himself  known  is  the  forms  of  the  Reason,  using  Reason 
in  a  broad  sense  to  embrace  the  metaphysical  categories, 
the  conscience  and  the  religious  feeling.  Here,  in  the 
Holy  of  Holies  of  human  nature,  God  presents  himself 
to  those  who  seek  Him.” 

Page  28,  “  We  have  examined  the  Church  and  the 
Reason  as  seats  of  divine  authority  in  an  introduction 
to  our  theme,  the  Authority  of  the  Scriptures ,  because 
they  open  our  eyes  to  see  mistakes  that  are  common  to 
the  three  departments.  Protestant  Christianity  builds 
its  faith  and  life  on  the  divine  authority  contained  in 
the  Scriptures,  and  too  often  depreciates  the  Church 
and  the  Reason.” 

Page  86,  “  But  preferring  to  use  my  limited  time  in 
opposing  the  depreciation  of  the  Church  and  the  Reason,, 
too  often  characteristic  of  Protestants ;  and  in  an 
effort  briefly  to  state,  as  a  fact  of  history,  that  these 
are  sources  of  divine  authority.” 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Scripture  : 

Isa.  viii.  20.  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony:  If 
they  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because 
there  is  no  light  in  them. 

Ps.  cxix.  96.  I  have  seen  an  end  of  all  perfection: 
but  thy  commandment  is  exceeding  broad. 


7 

Gal.  i.  8,  9—8  But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from 
heaven,  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that 
which  we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accursed. 
9  As  we  said  before,  so  say  I  now  again,  If  any  man 
preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  have  re¬ 
ceived,  let  him  be  accursed. 

Matt.  iv.  4,  7,  10. — 4  But  he  answered  and  said,  It  is 
written,  Man  shall  not  live  by  bread  alone,  but  by  every 
word  that  proceedeth  out  of  the  mouth  of  God.  7  Jesus 
said  unto  him,  It  is  written  again,  Thou  shalt  not  tempt 
the  Lord  thy  God.  10  Then  saith  Jesus  unto  him,  Get 
thee  hence,  Satan:  for  it  is  written,  Thou  shalt  worship 
the  Lord  thy  God,  and  him  only  shalt  thou  serve. 

Matt.  v.  19.  Whosoever  therefore  shall  break  one 
of  these  least  commandments,  and  shall  teach  men  so, 
he  shall  be  called  the  least  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven : 
but  whosoever  shall  do  and  teach  them  the  same  shall 
be  called  great  in  the  kingdom  of  heaven. 

Matt.  vii.  24.  Therefore  whosoever  heareth  these 
sayings  of  mine,  and  doeth  them,  I  will  liken  him 
unto  a  wise  man,  which  built  his  house  upon  a  rock. 

Matt.  xxii.  29,  31,  36,  40. — 29  Jesus  answered  and  said 
unto  them,  Ye  do  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures,  nor 
the  power  of  God.  31  But  as  touching  the  resuri  ection 
of  the  dead,  have  ye  not  read  that  which  was  spoken 
unto  you  by  God,  saying,  36  Master,  which  is  the  great 
commandment  in  the  law  ?  40  On  these  two  com¬ 

mandments  hang  all  the  law  and  the  prophets. 

Mark  vii.  7,  13. — 7  Howbeit  in  vain  do  they  worship 
me,  teaching  fot  doctrines  the  commandments  of  men. 
13  Making  the  word  of  God  of  none  effect  through 
your  tradition,  which  ye  have  delivered :  and  many 
such  like  things  do  ye. 

Acts.  vii.  38.  This  is  he,  that  was  in  the  church 
in  the  wilderness  with  the  angel  which  spake  to  him  in 
the  mount  Sina,  and  with  our  fathers  :  who  received  the 
lively  oracles  to  give  unto  us. 

Acts  xvii.  11.  These  were  more  noble  than  those 


8 


in  Thessalonica,  in  that  they  received  the  word  with  all 
readiness  of  mind,  and  searched  the  Scriptures  daily, 
whether  those  things  were  so. 

i  Pet.  iv.  n.  If  any  man  speak,  let  him  speak  as  the 
oracles  of  God ;  if  any  man  minister,  let  him  do  it  as 
of  the  ability  which  God  giveth;  that  God  in  all  things 
may  be  glorified  through  Jesus  Christ:  to  whom  be 
praise  and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen. 

1  John  v.  io.  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God 
hath  the  witness  in  himself :  he  that  believeth  not  God 
hath  made  him  a  liar ;  because  he  believeth  not  the 
record  that  God  gave  of  his  Son. 

Luke  i.  3,  4. — 3  It  seemed  good  to  me  also,  having 
had  perfect  understanding  of  all  things  from  the  very 
first,  to  write  unto  thee  in  order,  most  excellent  Theo- 
philus,  4  That  thou  mightest  know  the  certainty  of 
those  things,  wherein  thou  hast  been  instructed. 

2  Pet.  i.  19,  21. — 19  We  have  also  a  more  sure  word 
of  prophecy  :  whereunto  ye  do  well  that  ye  take  heed, 
as  unto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day 
dawn,  and  the  day  star  arise  in  your  hearts.  21  For 
the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will  of  man : 
but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the 
Holy  Ghost. 

Gal.  iii.  8  to  16. — 8  And  the  Scripture,  foreseeing  that 
God  would  justify  the  heathen  through  faith,  preached 
before  the  gospel  unto  Abraham,  saying,  In  thee  shall  all 
nations  be  blessed.  9  So  then  they  which  be  of  faith 
are  blessed  with  faithful  Abraham.  10  For  as  many  as 
are  of  the  works  of  the  law  are  under  the  curse :  for  it 
is  written,  Cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in 
all  things  which  are  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to 
do  them.  1 1  But  that  no  man  is  justified  by  the  law  in 
the  sight  of  God,  it  is  evident:  for,  The  just  shall  live 
by  faith.  12  And  the  law  is  not  of  faith  :  but,  The  man 
that  doeth  them  shall  live  in  them.  13  Christ  hath  re¬ 
deemed  us  from  the  curse  of  the  law,  being  made  a 
curse  for  us :  for  it  is  written,  Cursed  is  every  one  that 


9 

hangeth  on  a  tree :  14  That  the  blessing  of  Abraham 
might  come  on  the  Gentiles  through  Jesus  Christ;  that 
we  might  receive  the  promise  of  the  Spirit  through 
faith.  15  Brethren,  I  speak  after  the  manner  of  men; 
Though  it  be  but  a  man’s  covenant,  yet  if  it  be  con¬ 
firmed,  no  man  disannulleth,  or  addeth  thereto.  16 
Now  to  Abraham  and  his  seed  were  the  promises  made. 
He  saith  not,  And  to  seeds,  as  of  many ;  but  as  of  one, 
And  to  thy  seed,  which  is  Christ. 

John  v.  39.  Search  the  Scriptures,  for  in  them  ye 
have  eternal  life:  and  they  are  they  which  testify  of 
me. 

Deut.  iv.  2.  Ye  shall  not  add  unto  the  word  which  I 
command  you,  neither  shall  ye  diminish  aught  from  it, 
that  ye  may  keep  the  commandments  of  the  Lord  your 
God  which  I  command  you. 

Deut.  xii.  32.  What  thing  soever  I  command  you, 
observe  to  do  it :  thou  shalt  not  add  thereto,  nor 
diminish  from  it. 

Rev.  xxii.  19.  And  if  any  man  shall  take  away  from 
the  words  of  the  book  of  this  prophecy,  God  shall  take 
away  his  part  out  of  the  book  of  life,  and  out  of  the 
holy  city,  and  from  the  things  which  are  written  in  this 
book. 

Jer.  xxiii.  22.  But  if  they  had  stood  in  my  counsel, 
and  had  caused  my  people  to  hear  my  words,  then  they 
should  have  turned  them  from  their  evil  way,  and  from 
the  evil  of  their  doings. 

Jer.  viii.  8,  9.-8  How  do  ye  say,  We  are  wise,  and 
the  law  of  the  Lord  is  with  us  ?  Lo,  certainly  in  vain 
made  he  it ;  the  pen  of  the  scribes  is  in  vain.  9  The 
wise  men  are  ashamed,  they  are  dismayed  and  taken .  lo, 
they  rejected  the  word  of  the  Lord  ;  and  what  wisdom 
is  in  them  ? 

Rom.  iii.  2.  Much  every  way:  chiefly,  because 
that  unto  them  were  committed  the  oracles  of  God. 

Acts  xviii.  28.  For  he  mightily  convinced  the  Jews, 
and  that  publicly,  shewing  by  the  Scriptures  that  Jesus 
was  Christ. 


10 


These  declarations  are  contrary  to  our  Standards, 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Secs.  I.,  II.,  VIII.,  X. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of 
creation  and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  good¬ 
ness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inex¬ 
cusable  ;  yet  they  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  his  will,  which  is  necessary 
unto  salvation  ;  therefore  it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundry 
times,  and  in  divers  manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to 
declare  that  his  will  unto  his  church ;  and  afterwards, 
for  the  better  preserving  and  propagating  of  the  truth, 
and  for  the  more  sure  establishment  and  comfort  of  the 
church  against  the  corruption  of  the  flesh,  and  the 
malice  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,  to  commit  the  same 
wholly  unto  writing ;  which  maketh  the  Holy  Scripture 
to  be  most  necessary  ;  those  former  ways  of  God’s  re¬ 
vealing  his  will  unto  his  people  being  now  ceased. 

II.  Under  the  name  of  Holy  Scripture,  or  the  word 
of  God  written,  are  now  contained  all  the  books  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testament,  which  are  these: 


OF  THE  OLD  TESTAMENT. 


Genesis. 

II.  Chronicles. 

Daniel. 

Exodus. 

Ezra. 

Hosea. 

Leviticus. 

Nehemiah. 

Joel. 

Numbers. 

Esther 

Amos. 

Deuteronomy. 

Job. 

Obadiah. 

Joshua. 

Psalms. 

Jonah. 

Judges. 

Proverbs. 

Micah. 

Ruth. 

Ecclesiastes. 

Nahum. 

I.  Samuel. 

The  Song  of  Songs. 

Habakkuk. 

II.  Samuel. 

Isaiah. 

Zephaniah. 

I.  Kings. 

Jeremiah. 

Haggai. 

II.  Kings. 

Lamentations. 

Zechariah. 

I.  Chronicles. 

Ezekiel. 

Malachi. 

OF  THE  NEW  TESTAMENT. 

TheGospels  accord-  Matthew.  Luke, 

ing  to  Mark.  John. 


The  Acts  of  the 
Apostles. 

Paul’s  Epistles  to  the 
Romans. 
Corinthians,  I. 
Corinthians,  II. 
Galatians. 
Ephesians, 
Philippians. 


Colossians. 
Thessalonians,  I. 
Thessalonians,  II. 
To  Timothy,  I. 

To  Timothy,  II. 
To  Titus. 

To  Philemon. 

The  Epistle  to  tl 
Hebrews. 


The  Epistle  of 
James. 

The  first  and  second 
Epistles  of  Peter. 
The  first, second  and 
third  Epistles  of 
John. 

The  Epistle  of  Jude. 
The  Revelation. 


All  which  are  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  to  be  the 
rule  of  faith  and  life. 

VIII.  The  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew,  (which  was  the 
native  language  of  the  people  of  God  of  old,)  and  the 
New  Testament  in  Greek,  (which  at  the  time  of  the 
writing  of  it  was  most  generally  known  to  the  nations,) 
being  immediately  inspired  by  God,  and  by  his  singular 
care  and  providence,  kept  pure  in  all  ages,  are  therefore 
authentical;  so  as  in  all  controversies  of  religion  the 
church  is  finally  to  appeal  unto  them.  But  because 
these  original  tongues  are  not  known  to  all  the  people 
of  God  who  have  right  unto,  and  interest  in  the  Script¬ 
ures,  and  are  commanded,  in  the  fear  of  God,  to  read 
and  search  them,  therefore  they  are  to  be  translated 
into  the  vulgar  language  of  every  nation  unto  which 
they  come,  that  the  word  of  God  dwelling  plentifully 
in  all,  they  may  worship  him  in  an  acceptable  manner, 
and  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures  may 
have  hope. 

X.  The  Supreme  Judge,  by  which  all  controversies 
of  religion  are  to  be  determined,  and  all  decrees  of 
councils,  opinions  of  ancient  writers,  doctrines  of  men, 
and  private  spirits,  are  to  be  examined,  and  in  whose 
sentence  we  are  to  rest,  can  be  no  other  but  the  Holy 
Spirit  speaking  in  the  Scripture. 


Larger  Catechism,  2  and  3. 

Q.  2.  How  doth  it  appear  that  there  is  a  God? 

A.  The  very  light  of  nature  in  man,  and  the  works  of 
God,  declare  plainly  that  there  is  a  God  ;  but  his  word 


12 


and  Spirit  only,  do  sufficiently  and  effectually  reveal  him 
unto  men  for  their  salvation. 

Q.  3.  What  is  the  word  of  God? 

A.  The  holy  Scriptures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testa¬ 
ment  are  the  word  of  God,  the  only  rule  of  faith  and 
obedience. 

Shorter  Catechism,  2. 

Q.  2.  What  rule  hath  God  given  to  direct  us  how  we  may 
glorify  and  enjoy  him  ? 

A.  The  word  of  God,  which  is  contained  in  the  Script¬ 
ures  of  the  Old  and  New  Testaments,  is  the  only  rule 
to  direct  us  how  we  may  glorify  and  enjoy  him. 

SPECIFIC  A  TION  II. 

Dr.  Briggs  affirms  that,  in  the  case  of  some,  the  Holy 
Scriptures  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that  knowledge  of 
God  and  His  will,  which  is  necessary  unto  salvation, 
even  though  they  strive  never  so  hard  ;  and  that  such 
persons,  setting  aside  the  supreme  authority  of  the  word 
of  God,  can  obtain  that  saving  knowledge  of  Him 
through  the  Church. 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  25,  “  But  what  shall  we  say  of  a  modern  like  New¬ 
man,  who  could  not  reach  certainty,  striving  never  so 
hard,  through  the  Bible  or  the  Reason,  but  who  did  find 
divine  authority  in  the  institutions  of  the  Church.” 

Page  28,  “  Spurgeon  is  an  example  of  the  average 
modern  Evangelical,  who  holds  the  Protestant  position, 
and  assails  the  Church  and  Reason  in  the  interest  of  the 
authority  of  Scripture.  But  the  average  opinion  of  the 
Christian  world  would  not  assign  him  a  higher  place 
in  the  kingdom  of  God  than  Martineau  or  Newman.” 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Scripture : 

2  Tim.  iii.  15  to  17. — 15  And  that  from  a  child  thou 
hast  known  the  holy  Scriptures,  which  are  able  to 
make  thee  wise  unto  salvation  through  faith  which  is 


13 


in  Christ  Jesus.  16  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspira¬ 
tion  of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof, 
for  correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness  :  17  That 

the  man  of  God  may  be  perfect,  thoroughly  furnished 
unto  all  good  works. 

James  i.  18.  Of  his  own  will  begat  he  us  with  the 
word  of  truth,  that  we  should  be  a  kind  of  firstfruits  of 
his  creatures. 

Ephe.  ii.  20.  And  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of 
the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being 
the  chief  corner  stone. 

Ps.  cxix.  105,  130. — 105  Thy  word  is  a  lamp  unto  my 
feet,  and  a  light  unto  my  path.  130  The  entrance  of 
thy  words  giveth  light ;  it  giveth  understanding  unto 
the  simple. 

Luke  xvi.  31.  And  he  said  unto  him,  Son,  thou 
art  ever  with  me,  and  all  that  I  have  is  thine. 

John  xiv.  6.  Then  cometh  he  to  Simon  Peter : 
and  Peter  saith  unto  him,  Lord,  dost  thou  wash  my 
feet  ? 

John  xx.  31.  But  these  are  written,  that  ye  might 
believe  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  the  Son  of  God;  and 
that  believing  ye  might  have  life  through  his  name. 

2  Tim.  i.  9,  10. — 9  Who  hath  saved  us,  and  called  ns 
with  a  holy  calling,  not  according  to  our  works,  but 
according  to  his  own  purpose  and  grace,  which  was 
given  us  in  Christ  Jesus  before  the  world  began ; 
10  But  is  now  made  manifest  by  the  appearing  of  our 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  who  hath  abolished  death,  and 
hath  brought  life  and  immortality  to  light  through 
the  gospel. 

2  Thess.  ii.  13.  But  we  are  bound  to  give  thanks 
always  to  God  for  you,  brethren  beloved  of  the  Lord, 
because  God  hath  from  the  beginning  chosen  you  to 
salvation  through  sanctification  of  the  Spirit  and  belief 
of  the  truth. 

1  Thess.  ii.  13.  For  this  cause  also  thank  we  God 
without  ceasing,  because,  when  ye  received  the  word 


14 


of  God  which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it  not  as  the 
word  of  men,  but,  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word  or  God, 
which  effectually  worketh  also  in  you  that  believe. 

John  vi.  45.  It  is  written  in  the  prophets,  And 
they  shall  be  all  taught  of  God.  Every  man  therefore 
that  hath  heard,  and  hath  learned  of  the  Father, 
cometh  unto  me. 


These  declarations  are  contrary  to  our  Standards, 
Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Secs.  I.,  V.,  VI.,  VII. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of 
creation  and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  good¬ 
ness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inex¬ 
cusable  ;  yet  they  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  his  will,  which  is  necessary 
unto  salvation  ;  therefore  it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundry 
times,  and  in  divers  manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to 
declare  that  his  will  unto  his  church ;  and  afterwards, 
for  the  better  preserving  and  propagating  of  the  truth, 
and  for  the  more  sure  establishment  and  comfort  of  the 
church  against  the  corruption  of  the  flesh,  and  the 
malice  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,  to  commit  the  same 
wholly  unto  writing ;  which  maketh  the  Holy  Scripture 
to  be  most  necessary  ;  those  former  ways  of  God’s  re¬ 
vealing  his  will  unto  his  people  being  now  ceased. 

V.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony 
of  the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the 
Holy  Scripture  ;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter, 
the  efficacy  of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the 
consent  of  all  the  parts,  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which 
is  to  give  all  glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes 
of  the  only  way  of  man’s  salvation,  the  many  other  in¬ 
comparable  excellencies,  and  the  entire  perfection 
thereof,  are  arguments  whereby  it  doth  abundantly 
evidence  itself  to  be  the  word  of  God  ;  yet,  notwith¬ 
standing,  our  full  persuasion  and  assurance  of  the  in¬ 
fallible  truth,  and  divine  authority  thereof,  is  from  the 


i5 

inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bearing  witness  by  and 
with  the  word  in  our  hearts. 

VI.  The  whole  counsel  of  God,  concerning  all  things 
necessary  for  his  own  glory,  man’s  salvation,  faith,  and 
life,  is  either  expressly  set  down  in  Scripture,  or  by 
good  and  necessary  consequence  may  be  deduced  from 
Scripture :  unto  which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  be 
added,  whether  by  new  revelations  of  the  Spirit,  or  tra¬ 
ditions  of  men.  Nevertheless  we  acknowledge  the  in¬ 
ward  illumination  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  be  necessary 
for  the  saving  understanding  of  such  things  as  are  re¬ 
vealed  in  the  word ;  and  that  there  are  some  circum¬ 
stances  concerning  the  worship  of  God,  and  government 
of  the  church,  common  to  human  actions  and  societies, 
which  are  to  be  ordered  by  the  light  of  nature  and 
Christian  prudence,  according  to  the  general  rules  of 
the  word,  which  are  always  to  be  observed. 

VII.  All  things  in  Scripture  are  not  alike  plain  in 
themselves,  nor  alike  clear  unto  all;  yet  those  things 
which  are  necessary  to  be  known,  believed,  and  observed, 
for  salvation,  are  so  clearly  propounded  and  opened  in 
some  place  of  Scripture  or  other,  that  not  only  the 
learned  but  the  unlearned,  in  a  due  use  of  the  ordinary 
means,  may  attain  unto  a  sufficient  understanding  of 
them. 


SPECIFIC  A  TION  III. 

Dr.  Briggs  affirms  that  some  (such  as  James  Marti- 
neau,  who  denies  the  doctrines  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  the 
Incarnation,  the  Atonement,  the  Resurrection  of  the 
Body,  the  personality  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  who  rejects 
the  miracles  of  the  Bible  and  denies  the  truth  of  the 
Gospel  narratives,  as  well  as  most  of  the  theology  of 
the  Epistles),  to  whom  the  Holy  Scripture  is  not  suffi¬ 
cient  to  give  that  knowledge  of  God,  and  of  His  Will, 
which  is  necessary  unto  salvation,  may  turn  from  the 
Supreme  Authority  of  the  Word  of  God  and  find  that 
knowledge  of  Him  through  the  Reason. 


i6 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  27,  “  Martineau  could  not  find  divine  authority 
in  the  Church  or  the  Bible,  but  he  did  find  God  en¬ 
throned  in  his  own  soul.  There  are  those  who  would 
refuse  these  Rationalists  a  place  in  the  company  of  the 
faithful.  But  they  forget  that  the  essential  thing  is  to 
find  God  and  divine  certainty,  and  if  these  men  have 
found  God  without  the  mediation  of  Church  and  Bible, 
Church  and  Bible  are  means  and  not  ends  ;  they  are 
avenues  to  God,  but  are  not  God.  We  regret  that  these 
Rationalists  depreciate  the  means  of  grace  so  essential 
to  most  of  us,  but  we  are  warned  lest  we  commit  a 
similar  error,  and  depreciate  the  Reason  and  the 
Christian  consciousness.” 

Page  28,  “  Spurgeon  is  an  example  of  the  average 
modern  Evangelical,  who  holds  the  Protestant  position, 
and  assails  the  Church  and  Reason  in  the  interest  of  the 
authority  of  Scripture.  But  the  average  opinion  of  the 
Christian  world  would  not  assign  him  a  higher  place  in 
the  kingdom  of  God  than  Martineau  or  Newman.  May 
we  not  conclude,  on  the  whole,  that  these  three  repre¬ 
sentative  Christians  of  our  time,  living  in  or  near  the 
world’s  metropolis,  have,  each  in  his  way,  found  God 
and  rested  on  divine  authority?” 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  the  Scripture : 

1  John  v.  10.  He  that  believeth  on  the  Son  of  God 
hath  the  witness  in  himself :  he  that  believeth  not  God 
hath  made  him  a  liar  ;  because  he  believeth  not  the 
record  that  God  gave  of  his  Son. 

John  xiv.  6.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way, 
the  truth,  and  the  life :  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father, 
but  by  me. 

Acts  iv.  12.  Neither  is  there  salvation  in  any  other: 
for  there  is  none  other  name  under  heaven  given  among 
men,  whereby  we  must  be  saved. 

Acts  viii.  32  to  35.-32  The  place  of  the  Scripture 
which  he  read  was  this,  He  was  led  as  a  sheep  to  the 
slaughter ;  and  like  a  lamb  dumb  before  his  shearer,  so 


i7 

opened  he  not  his  mouth:  33  In  his  humiliation  his 
judgment  was  taken  away :  and  who  shall  declare  his 
generation  ?  for  his  life  is  taken  from  the  earth.  34  And 
the  eunuch  answered  Philip,  and  said,  I  pray  thee,  of 
whom  speaketh  the  prophet  this?  of  himself,  or  of  some 
other  man?  35  Then  Philip  opened  his  mouth,  and 
began  at  the  same  Scripture,  and  preached  unto  him 
Jesus. 

Acts  x.  43.  To  him  give  all  the  prophets  witness, 
that  through  his  name  whosoever  believeth  in  him  shall 
receive  remission  of  sins. 

1  Cor.  ii.  13,  1 4.  —  13  Which  things  also  we  speak,  not 
in  the  words  which  man’s  wisdom  teacheth,  but  which 
the  Holy  Ghost  teacheth  ;  comparing  spiritual  things 
with  spiritual.  14  But  the  natural  man  receiveth  not 
the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God :  for  they  are  foolishness 
unto  him  :  neither  can  he  know  them ,  because  they  are 
spiritually  discerned, 

Eph.  ii.  20.  And  are  built  upon  the  foundation  of 
the  apostles  and  prophets,  Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the 
chief  corner  stone. 

Romans  xvi.  25,  26.-25  Now  to  him  that  is  of  power 
to  stablish  }^ou  according  to  my  gospel,  and  the  preach¬ 
ing  of  Jesus  Christ,  according  to  the  revelation  of  the 
mystery,  which  was  kept  secret  since  the  world  began, 
26  But  now  is  made  manifest,  and  by  the  Scriptures  .of 
the  prophets,  according  to  the  commandment  of  the 
everlasting  God,  made  known  to  all  nations  for  the 
obedience  of  faith. 

James  i.  18.  Of  his  own  will  begat  he  us  with  the 
word  of  truth,  that  we  should  be  a  kind  of  firstfruits  of 
his  creatures. 

Matt.  xxii.  29.  Jesus  answered  and  said  unto  them, 
Ye  do  err,  not  knowing  the  Scriptures,  nor  the  power 
of  God. 

1  Cor.  i.  19  to  21. — 19  For  it  is  written,  I  will  destroy 
the  wisdom  of  the  wise,  and  will  bring  to  nothing  the 
understanding  of  the  prudent.  20  Where  A  the  wise? 


i8 

where  is  the  scribe?  where  is  the  ciisputer  o f  this 
world  ?  hath  not  God  made  foolish  the  wisdom  of  this 
world?  21  For  after  that  in  the  wisdom  of  God  the 
world  by  wisdom  knew  not  God,  it  pleased  God  by  the 
foolishness  of  preaching  to  save  them  that  believe. 

These  declarations  are  contrary  to  our  Standards, 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Secs.  I.,  V.,  VI.,  VII. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of 
creation  and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  good¬ 
ness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inex¬ 
cusable  ;  yet  they  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  his  will,  which  is  necessary 
unto  salvation ;  therefore  it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundry 
times,  and  in  divers  manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to 
declare  that  his  will  unto  his  church  ;  and  afterwards, 
for  the  better  preserving  and  propagating  of  the  truth, 
and  for  the  more  sure  establishment  and  comfort  of  the 
church  against  the  corruption  of  the  flesh,  and  the 
malice  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,  to  commit  the  same 
wholly  unto  writing;  which  maketh  the  Holy  Scripture 
to  be  most  necessary  ;  those  former  ways  of  God’s  re¬ 
vealing  his  will  unto  his  people  being  now  ceased. 

V.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony 
of  the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the 
Holy  Scripture  ;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter, 
the  efficacy  of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the 
consent  of  all  the  parts,  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which 
is  to  give  all  glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes 
of  the  only  way  of  man’s  salvation,  the  many  other  in¬ 
comparable  excellencies,  and  the  entire  perfection 
thereof,  are  arguments  whereby  it  doth  abundantly 
evidence  itself  to  be  the  word  of  God  ;  yet,  notwith¬ 
standing,  our  full  persuasion  and  assurance  of  the  in¬ 
fallible  truth,  and  divine  authority  thereof,  is  from  the 
inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bearing  witness  by  and 
with  the  word  in  our  hearts. 

VI.  The  whole  counsel  of  God,  concerning  all  things 
necessary  for  his  own  glory,  man’s  salvation,  faith,  and 


19 

life,  is  either  expressly  set  down  in  Scripture,  or  by 
good  and  necessary  consequence  may  be  deduced  from 
Scripture:  unto  which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  be 
added,  whether  by  new  revelations  of  the  Spirit,  or  tra¬ 
ditions  of  men.  Nevertheless  we  acknowledge  the  in¬ 
ward  illumination  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  be  necessary 
for  the  saving  understanding  of  such  things  as  are  re¬ 
vealed  in  the  word ;  and  that  there  are  some  circum¬ 
stances  concerning  the  worship  of  God,  and  government 
of  the  church,  common  to  human  actions  and  societies, 
which  are  to  be  ordered  by  the  light  of  nature  and 
Christian  prudence,  according  to  the  general  rules  of 
the  word,  which  are  always  to  be  observed. 

VII.  All  things  in  Scripture  are  not  alike  plain  in 
themselves,  nor  alike  clear  unto  all ;  yet  those  things 
which  are  necessary  to  be  known,  believed  and  observed, 
for  salvation,  are  so  clearly  propounded  and  opened  in 
some  place  of  Scripture  or  other,  that  not  only  the 
learned  but  the  unlearned,  in  a  due  use  of  the  ordinary 
means,  may  attain  unto  a  sufficient  understanding  of 
them. 

SPECIFIC  A  TION  IV. 

Dr.  Briggs  asserts  that  the  temperaments  and  envi¬ 
ronments  of  men  determine  which  of  the  three  ways  of 
access  to  God  they  may  pursue. 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  28,  “  May  we  not  conclude,  on  the  whole,  that 
these  three  representative  Christians  of  our  time,  living 
in  or  near  the  world’s  metropolis,  have,  each  in  his  way, 
found  God  and  rested  on  divine  authority  ?  May  we  not 
learn  from  them  not  to  depreciate  any  of  the  means  where¬ 
by  God  makes  Himself  known  to  men  ?  Men  are  in¬ 
fluenced  by  their  temperaments  and  environments  which 
of  the  three  ways  of  access  to  God  they  may  pursue.” 

This  statement  is  contrary  to  the  Scripture : 

1  Pet.  i.  23,  25. — 23  Being  born  again,  not  of  corrupti¬ 
ble  seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the  word  of  God, 


20 


which  liveth  and  abideth  for  ever.  25  But  the  word  of 
the  Lord  endureth  for  ever.  And  this  is  the  word 
which  by  the  gospel  is  preached  unto  you. 

1  Gal.  i.  8,  9.-8  But  though  we,  or  an  angel  from 
heaven,  preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that 
which  we  have  preached  unto  you,  let  him  be  accuised. 
g  As  we  said  before,  so  say  I  now  again,  If  any  viau 
preach  any  other  gospel  unto  you  than  that  ye  have 
received,  let  him  be  accursed. 

John  xiv.  6.  Jesus  saith  unto  him,  I  am  the  way, 
the  truth,  and  the  life  :  no  man  cometh  unto  the  Father, 
but  by  me. 

This  statement  is  contrary  to  our  Standards, 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  1.,  Secs.  I.,  VI. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of 
creation  and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  good¬ 
ness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inex¬ 
cusable  ;  yet  they  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  his  will,  which  is  necessai} 
unto  salvation ;  therefore  it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundry 
times,  and  in  divers  manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to 
declare  that  his  will  unto  his  church ;  and  afterwards, 
for  the  better  preserving  and  propagating  of  the  truth, 
and  for  the  more  sure  establishment  and  comfort  of  the 
church  against  the  corruption  of.  the  flesh,  and  the 
malice  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,  to  commit  the  same 
wholly  unto  writing ;  which  maketh  tfre  Holy  Scripture 
to  be  most  necessary  ;  those  former  ways  of  God’s  re¬ 
vealing  his  will  unto  his  people  being  now  ceased. 

VI.  The  whole  counsel  of  God,  concerning  all  things 
necessary  for  his  own  glory,  man’s  salvation,  faith,  and 
life,  is  either  expressly  set  down  in  Scripture,  or  by 
good  and  necessary  consequence  may  be  deduced  from 
Scripture :  unto  which  nothing  at  any  time  is  to  be 
added,  whether  by  new  revelations  of  the  Spirit,  or  tra¬ 
ditions  of  men.  Nevertheless  we  acknowledge  the  in¬ 
ward  illumination  of  the  Spirit  of  God  to  be  necessary' 


21 


for  the  saving  understanding  of  such  things  as  are  re¬ 
vealed  in  the  word  ;  and  that  there  are  some  circum¬ 
stances  concerning  the  worship  of  God,  and  government 
of  the  church,  common  to  human  actions  and  societies, 
which  are  to  be  ordered  by  the  light  of  nature  and 
Christian  prudence,  according  to  the  general  rules  of 
the  word,  which  are  always  to  be  observed. 

SPECIFICATION  V. 

Dr.  Briggs  makes  statements  in  regard  to  the  Holy 
Scriptures  which  cannot  be  reconciled  with  the  doc¬ 
trine  of  the  true  and  full  inspiration  of  those  Scriptures 
as  the  “  Word  of  God  written.” 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  30,  “  The  Bible,  as  a  book,  is  paper,  print  and 
binding— nothing  more.  It  is  entitled  to  reverent 
handling  for  the  sake  of  its  holy  contents,  because  it 
contains  the  divine  word  of  redemption  for  man,  and 
not  for  any  other  reason  whatever.” 

Page  31,  “There  is  nothing  divine  in  the  text — in  its 
letters,  words  or  clauses.  There  are  those  who  hold 
that  thought  and  language  are  as  inseparable  as  body 
and  soul.  But  language  is  rather  the  dress  of  thought. 
A  master  of  many  languages  readily  clothes  the  same 
thought  in  half  a  dozen  different  languages.  The  same 
thought  in  the  Bible  itself  is  dressed  in  different  literary 
styles,  and  the  thought  of  the  one  is  as  authoritative  as 
the  other.  The  divine  authority  is  not  in  the  style  or 
in  the  words,  but  in  the  concept,  and  so  the  divine 
power  of  the  Bible  may  be  transferred  into  any  human 
language.  The  divine  authority  contained  in  the 
Scriptures  speaks  as  powerfully  in  English  as  in  Greek, 
in  Choctaw  as  in  Aramaic,  in  Chinese  as  in  Hebrew. 
We  force  our  way  through  the  language  and  the  letter, 
the  grammar  and  the  style,  to  the  inner  substance  of 
the  thought,  for  there,  if  at  all,  we  shall  find  God.” 

Page  34,  “  It  is  not  a  pleasant  task  to  point  out  errors 
in  the  sacred  Scriptures.  Nevertheless,  Historical  Crit- 


\ 


1 


22 


icism  finds  them,  and  we  must  meet  the  issue  whether 
they  destroy  the  authority  of  the  Bible  or  not.” 

Pages  35-36,  “  I  shall  venture  to  affirm  that,  so  far  as 
I  can  see,  there  are  errors  in  the  Scriptures  that  no  one 
has  been  able  to  explain  away  ;  and  the  theory  that  they 
were  not  in  the  original  text  is  sheer  assumption,  upon 
which  no  mind  can  rest  with  certainty.  If  such  errors 
destroy  the  authority  of  the  Bible,  it  is  already  destroyed 
for  historians.  Men  cannot  shut  their  eyes  to  truth  and 
fact.  But  on  what  authority  do  these  theologians  drive 
men  from  the  Bible  by  this  theory  of  inerrancy?  The 
Bible  itself  nowhere  makes  this  claim.  The  creeds  of 
the  Church  nowhere  sanction  it.  It  is  a  ghost  of  modern 
evangelicalism  to  frighten  children.  The  Bible  has 
maintained  its  authority  with  the  best  scholars  of  our 
time,  who  with  open  minds  have  been  willing  to  recog¬ 
nize  any  error  that  might  be  pointed  out  by  Historical 
Criticism  ;  for  these  errors  are  all  in  the  circumstantials 
and  not  in  the  essentials  ;  they  are  in  the  human  setting, 
not  in  the  precious  jewel  itself ;  they  are  found  in  that 
section  of  the  Bible  that  theologians  commonly  account 
for  from  the  providential  superintendence  of  the  mind 
of  the  author,  as  distinguished  from  divine  revelation 
itself.  It  may  be  that  this  providential  superintendence 
gives  infallible  guidance  in  every  particular  ;  and  it  may 
be  that  it  differs  but  little,  if  at  all,  from  the  providen¬ 
tial  superintendence  of  the  fathers  and  schoolmen  and 
theologians  of  the  Christian  Church.  It  is  not  impor¬ 
tant  for  our  purpose  that  we  should  decide  this  question. 
If  we  should  abandon  the  whole  field  of  providential 
superintendence  so  far  as  inspiration  and  divine  author¬ 
ity  are  concerned  and  limit  divine  inspiration  and  au¬ 
thority  to  the  essential  contents  of  the  Bible,  to  its  relig¬ 
ion,  faith,  and  morals,  we  would  still  have  ample  room 
to  seek  divine  authority  where  alone  it  is  essential,  or 
even  important,  in  the  teaching  that  guides  our  devo¬ 
tions,  our  thinking,  and  our  conduct.” 

Page  95,  “  I  have  not  taken  a  brief  to  prove  the 
errancy  of  Scripture.  Conservative  men  should  hesi- 


23 

tate  before  they  force  the  critics  in  self-defence  to  make 
a  catalogue  of  errors  in  the  Bible.  It  is  not  my  place 
to  distinguish  between  the  essential  and  the  non-essen¬ 
tial  contents  of  the  Bible.  The  errors  are  in  the  only 
texts  we  have,  and  every  one  is  forced  to  recognize 
them.” 

These  statements  are  contrary  to  the  Scriptures  : 

Heb.  i.  1,2. —  i  God,  who  at  sundry  times  and  in  divers 
manners  spake  in  time  past  unto  the  fathers  by  the 
prophets,  2  Hath  in  these  last  days  spoken  unto  us  by 
Jus  Son,  whom  he  hath  appointed  heir  of  all  things,  by 
whom  also  he  made  the  worlds: 

Acts  i.  1 6.  Men  and  brethren,  this  Scripture  must 
needs  have  been  fulfilled,  which  the  Holy  Ghost  by  the 
mouth  of  David  spake  before  concerning  Judas,  which 
was  guide  to  them  that  took  Jesus. 

Acts  iii.  1 8.  But  those  things,  which  God  before 
had  shewed  by  the  mouth  of  all  his  prophets,  that  Christ 
should  suffer,  he  hath  so  fulfilled. 

1  Cor.  ii.  13.  Which  things  also  we  speak,  not  in 
the  words  which  man’s  wisdom  teacheth,  but  which  the 
Holy  Ghost  teacheth  ;  comparing  spiritual  things  with 
spiritual. 

2  Pet.  i.  20,  21. — 20  Knowing  this  first,  that  no  proph¬ 
ecy  of  the  Scripture  is  of  any  private  interpretation, 
21  For  the  prophecy  came  not  in  old  time  by  the  will 
of  man  :  but  holy  men  of  God  spake  as  they  were  moved 
by  the  Holy  Ghost. 

2  Tim.  iii.  16.  All  Scripture  is  given  by  inspiration 
of  God,  and  is  profitable  for  doctrine,  for  reproof,  for 
correction,  for  instruction  in  righteousness. 

Rom.  ix.  1 7.  For  the  Scripture  saith  unto  Pharaoh, 
Even  for  this  same  purpose  have  I  raised  thee  up,  that 
I  might  shew  my  power  in  thee,  and  that  my  name  might 
be  declared  throughout  all  the  earth. 

Mark  xii.  36.  For  David  himself  said  by  the  Holy 
Ghost,  The  Lord  said  to  my  Lord,  Sit  thou  on  my 
right  hand,  till  I  make  thine  enemies  thy  footstool. 


24 

Acts  vii.  38.  This  is  he,  that  was  in  the  church  in 
the  wilderness  with  the  angel  which  spake  to  him  in  the 
Mount  Sina,  and  with  our  fathers:  who  received  the 
lively  oracles  to  give  unto  us. 

Acts  xxviii.  25.  And  when  they  agreed  not  among 
themselves,  they  departed,  after  that  Paul  had  spoken 
one  word,  Well  spake  the  Holy  Ghost  by  Esaias  the 
prophet  unto  our  fathers, 

2  Sam.  xxiii.  2.  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  spake  by  me, 
and  his  word  was  in  my  tongue. 

Ps.  xix.  7.  The  law  of  The  Lord  is  perfect,  con¬ 
verting  the  soul :  the  testimony  of  the  Lord  is  sure, 
making  wise  the  simple. 

Ps.  cxix.  142,  160. — 142  Thy  righteousness  is  an  ever¬ 
lasting  righteousness,  and  thy  law  is  the  truth.  160  Thy 
word  is  true  from  the  beginning :  and  every  one  of  thy 
righteous  judgments  endureth  for  ever. 

Dan.  x.  21.  But  I  will  shew  thee  that  which  is 
noted  in  the  Scripture  of  truth :  and  there  is  none  that 
holdeth  with  me  in  these  things,  but  Michael  your 
prince. 

* 

Num.  xxiii.  19.  God  is  not  a  man,  tnat  ne  should 
lie  ;  neither  the  son  of  man,  that  he  should  repent :  hath 
he  said,  and  shall  he  not  do  it  f  or  hath  he  spoken,  and 
shall  he  not  make  it  good  ? 

Luke  i.  1  to  4. —  1  Forasmuch  as  many  have  taken  in 
hand  to  set  forth  in  order  a  declaration  of  those  things 
which  are  most  surely  believed  among  us,  2  Even  as 
they  delivered  them  unto  us,  which  from  the  beginning 
were  eye-witnesses,  and  ministers  of  the  word  ;  3  It 

seemed  good  to  me  also,  having  had  perfect  understand¬ 
ing  of  all  things  from  the  very  first,  to  write  unto  thee 
in  order,  most  excellent  Theophilus,  4  That  thou 
mightest  know  the  certainty  of  those  things,  wherein 
thou  hast  been  instructed. 

John  xvii.  17.  Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth:  thy 
word  is  truth. 


25 

Rom.  xv.  3,  4. — 3  For  even  Christ  pleased  not  him¬ 
self  ;  but,  as  it  is  written,  The  reproaches  of  them  that 
reproached  thee  fell  on  me.  4  For  whatsoever  things 
were  written  aforetime  were  written  for  our  learning, 
that  we  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures 
might  have  hope. 

1  Thess.  ii.  13.  For  this  cause  also  thank  we  God 
without  ceasing,  because,  when  ye  received  the  word  of 
God  which  ye  heard  of  us,  ye  received  it  not  as  the 
word  of  men,  but,  as  it  is  in  truth,  the  word  of  God, 
which  effectually  worketh  also  in  you  that  believe. 

Matt.  v.  17  to  19. —  1 7  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to 
destroy  the  law,  or  the  prophets:  I  am  not  come  to 
destroy,  but  to  fulfil.  18  For  verily  I  say  unto  you,  Till 
heaven  and  earth  pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in  no 
wise  pass  from  the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled.  19  Whoso¬ 
ever  therefore  shall  break  one  of  these  least  command¬ 
ments,  and  shall  teach  men  so,  he  shall  be  called  the  least 
in  the  kingdom  of  heaven  :  but  whosoever  shall  do  and 
teach  them ,  the  same  shall  be  called  great  in  the  kingdom 
of  heaven. 

Heb.  xii.  27.  And  this  word ,  Yet  once  more,  sig¬ 
nified  the  removing  of  those  things  that  are  shaken,  as 
of  things  that  are  made,  that  those  things  which  cannot 
be  shaken  may  remain. 

Gal.  iii.  16.  Now  to  Abraham  and  his  seed  were 
the  promises  made.  He  saith  not,  And  to  seeds,  as  of 
many  ;  but  as  of  one,  And  to  thy  seed,  which  is  Christ. 

John  x.  34  to  36. — 34  Jesus  answered  them,  Is  it  not 
written  in  your  law,  I  said,  Ye  are  gods  ?  35  If  he  called 
them  gods,  unto  whom  the  word  of  God  came,  and  the 
Scripture  cannot  be  broken ;  36  Say  ye  of  him,  whom 
the  Father  hath  sanctified,  and  sent  into  the  world, 
Thou  blasphemest ;  because  I  said,  I  am  the  Son  of 
God  ? 

Isa.  viii.  20.  To  the  law  and  to  the  testimony  :  if 
they  speak  not  according  to  this  word,  it  is  because  there 
is  no  light  in  them. 


26 


I  Pet.  i.  23,  25. — 23  Being  born  again,  not  of  corrupti¬ 
ble  seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the  word  of  God,  which 
liveth  and  abideth  for  ever.  25  But  the  word  of  the 
Lord  endureth  for  ever.  And  this  is  the  word  which 
by  the  gospel  is  preached  unto  you. 

Acts  xxiv.  14 — 14  But  this  I  confess  unto  thee,  that 
after  the  way  which  they  call  heresy,  so  worship  I  the 
God  of  my  fathers,  believing  all  things  which  are  writ¬ 
ten  in  the  law  and  in  the  prophets. 

These  statements  are  contrary  to  our  Standards, 
Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Secs.  I.,  II.,  IV., V., VIII.,, 
IX. ;  Chap.  XIV.,  Sec.  II. 

I.  Although  the  light  of  nature,  and  the  works  of 
creation  and  providence,  do  so  far  manifest  the  good¬ 
ness,  wisdom,  and  power  of  God,  as  to  leave  men  inex¬ 
cusable  ;  yet  they  are  not  sufficient  to  give  that 
knowledge  of  God,  and  of  his  will,  which  is  necessary 
unto  salvation  ;  therefore  it  pleased  the  Lord,  at  sundry 
times,  and  in  divers  manners,  to  reveal  himself,  and  to 
declare  that  his  will  unto  his  church ;  and  afterwards,, 
for  the  better  preserving  and  propagating  of  the  truth, 
and  for  the  more  sure  establishment  and  comfort  of  the 
church  against  the  corruption  of  the  flesh,  and  the 
malice  of  Satan  and  of  the  world,  to  commit  the  same 
wholly  unto  writing ;  which  maketh  the  Holy  Scripture 
to  be  most  necessary ;  those  former  ways  of  God  s  re¬ 
vealing  his  will  unto  his  people  being  now  ceased. 

II.  Under  the  name  of  Holy  Scripture,  or  the  word 
of  God  written,  are  now  contained  all  the  books  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testament,  which  are  these: 


OF  THE  OLD  TESTAMENT. 


Genesis. 

II.  Chronicles. 

Daniel. 

Exodus. 

Ezra. 

Hosea. 

Leviticus. 

Nehemiah. 

Joel. 

Numbers. 

Esther. 

Amos. 

Deuteronomy. 

Job. 

Obadiah. 

Joshua. 

Psalms. 

Jonah. 

27 


Judges. 

Proverbs. 

Micah. 

Ruth. 

Ecclesiastes. 

Nahum. 

I.  Samuel. 

The  Song  of  Songs, 

Habakkuk. 

II.  Samuel. 

Isaiah. 

Zephaniah. 

I.  Kings. 

Jeremiah. 

Haggai. 

II.  Kings. 

Lamentations. 

Zechariah. 

I.  Chronicles. 

Ezekiel. 

Malachi. 

OF 

THE  NEW  TESTAMENT. 

TheGospels  accord¬ 

Corinthians,  II. 

The  Epistle  to  the 

ing  to 

Galatians, 

Hebrews 

Matthew. 

Ephesians. 

The  Epistle  of 

Mark. 

Philippians. 

James. 

Luke. 

Colossians. 

The  first  and  second 

John. 

Thessalonians,  I. 

Epistles  of  Peter. 

The  Acts  of  the 

Thessalonians,  II. 

Thefirst,  secondand 

Apostles. 

To  Timothy,  I. 

third  Epistles  of 

Paul’s  Epistles  to  the 

To  Timothy,  II. 

John. 

Romans. 

To  Titus. 

The  Epistle  of  Jude. 

Corinthians,  I. 

To  Philemon. 

The  Revelation. 

All  which  are  given  by  inspiration  of  God,  to  be  the 
rule  of  faith  and  life. 

IV.  The  authority  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  for  which 
it  ought  to  be  believed  and  obeyed,  dependeth  not  upon 
the  testimony  of  any  man  or  church,  but  wholly  upon 
God,  (who  is  truth  itself,)  the  author  thereof ;  and  there¬ 
fore  it  is  to  be  received,  because  it  is  the  word  of  God. 

V.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony 
of  the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the 
Holy  Scripture ;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter, 
the  efficacy  of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the 
consent  of  all  the  parts,  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which 
is  to  give  all  glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes 
of  the  onty  way  of  man’s  salvation,  the  many  other  in¬ 
comparable  excellencies,  and  the  entire  perfection 
thereof,  are  arguments  whereby  it  doth  abundantly 
evidence  itself  to  be  the  word  of  God ;  yet,  notwith¬ 
standing,  our  full  persuasion  and  assurance  of  the  in¬ 
fallible  truth,  and  divine  authority  thereof,  is  from  the 


28 


inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bearing  witness  by  and 
with  the  word  in  our  hearts. 

VIII.  The  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew,  (which  was  the 
native  language  of  the  people  of  God  of  old,)  and  the 
New  Testament  in  Greek,  (which  at  the  time  of  the 
writing  of  it  was  most  generally  known  to  the  nations,) 
being  immediately  inspired  by  God,  and  by  his  singular 
care  and  providence,  kept  pure  in  all  ages,  are  therefore 
authentical;  so  as  in  all  controversies  of  religion  the 
church  is  finally  to  appeal  unto  them.  But  because 
these  original  tongues  are  not  known  to  all  the  people 
of  God  who  have  right  unto,  and  interest  in  the  Script¬ 
ures,  and  are  commanded  in  the  fear  of  God,  to  read 
and  search  them,  therefore  they  are  to  be  translated 
into  the  vulgar  language  of  every  nation  unto  which 
they  come,  that  the  word  of  God  dwelling  plentifully 
in  all,  they  may  worship  him  in  an  acceptable  manner, 
and  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures  may 
have  hope. 

IX.  The  infallible  rule  of  interpretation  of  Scripture 
is  the  Scripture  itself;  and  therefore,  when  there  is  a 
question  about  the  true  and  full  sense  of  any  scripture, 
(which  is  not  manifold,  but  one,)  it  may  be  searched  and 
known  by  other  places  that  speak  more  clearly. 

Chap.  xiv.  Sec.  ii.  By  this  faith,  a  Christian  believeth 
to  be  true,  whatsoever  is  revealed  in  the  word,  for  the  au¬ 
thority  of  God  himself  speaking  therein:  and  acteth  differ¬ 
ently,  upon  that  which  each  particular  passage  thereof 
containeth  ;  yielding  obedience  to  the  commands,  trem¬ 
bling  at  the  threatenings,  and  embracing  the  promises  of 
God  for  this  life,  and  that  which  is  to  come.  But  the 
principal  acts  of  saving  faith  are,  accepting,  receiving, 
and  resting  upon  Christ  alone  for  justification,  sanctifica¬ 
tion,  and  eternal  life,  by  virtue  of  the  covenant  of  grace. 

SPECIFICATION  VI. 

Dr.  Briggs  asserts  that  Moses  is  not  the  author  of  the 
Pentateuch,  and  that  Isaiah  is  not  the  author  of  half  of 
the  book  which  bears  his  name. 


29 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  33,  “  It  may  be  regarded  as  the  certain  result 
of  the  science  of  the  Higher  Criticism  that  Moses  did 
not  write  the  Pentateuch.” 

Page  33>  “  Isaiah  did  not  write  half  of  the  book  that 
bears  his  name.” 

These  statements  are  contrary  to  Scripture  : 

Ex.  xxiv.  3,  4.-3  And  Moses  came  and  told  the 
people  all  the  words  of  the  Lord,  and  all  the  judgments  : 
and  all  the  people  answered  with  one  voice,  and  said. 
All  the  words  which  the  Lord  hath  said  will  we  do. 
4  And  Moses  wrote  all  the  words  of  the  Lord,  and  rose 
up  early  in  the  morning,  and  builded  an  altar  under  the 
hill,  and  twelve  pillars,  according  to  the  twelve  tribes 
of  Israel. 

Num.  xxxiii.  2  And  Moses  wrote  their  goings  out 
according  to  their  journeys  by  the  commandment  of  the 
Lord  :  and  these  are  their  journeys  according  to  their 
goings  out. 

Deut.  xxxi.  9,  22. — 9.  And  Moses  wrote  this  law,  and 
delivered  it  unto  the  priests  the  sons  of  Levi,  which  bare 
the  ark  of  the  covenant  of  the  Lord,  and  unto  all  the 
elders  of  Israel.  22  Moses  therefore  wrote  this  song 
the  same  day,  and  taught  it  the  children  of  Israel. 

Josh.  i.  7,  8. — 7  Only  be  thou  strong  and  very  cou¬ 
rageous,  that  thou  mayest  observe  to  do  according  to  all 
the  law,  which  Moses  my  servant  commanded  thee  :  turn 
not  from  it  to  the  right  hand  or  to  the  left,  that  thou 
mayest  prosper  whithersoever  thou  goest.  8  This  book 
of  the  law  shall  not  depart  out  of  thy  mouth ;  but  thou 
shalt  meditate  therein  day  and  night,  that  thou  mayest 
observe  to  do  according  to  all  that  is  written  therein  : 
for  then  thou  shalt  make  thy  way  prosperous,  and  then 
thou  shalt  have  good  success. 

Josh.  viii.  31  As  Moses  the  servant  of  the  Lord 
commanded  the  children  of  Israel,  as  it  is  written  in  the 
book  of  the  law  of  Moses,  an  altar  of  whole  stones,  over 


30 


which  no  man  hath  lifted  up  any  iron :  and  they  offered 
thereon  burnt  offerings  unto  the  Lord,  and  sacrificed 
peace  offerings. 

1  Kings  ii.  3  And  keep  the  charge  of  the  Lord 
thy  God,  to  walk  in  his  ways,  to  keep  his  statutes,  and 
his  commandments,  and  his  judgments,  and  his  testimo¬ 
nies,  as  it  is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  that  thou  may- 
est  prosper  in  all  that  thou  doest,  and  whithersoever 
thou  turnest  thyself. 

2  Kings  xxi.  8  Neither  will  I  make  the  feet  of 
Israel  move  any  more  out  of  the  land  which  I  gave  their 
fathers ;  only  if  they  will  observe  to  do  according  to  all 
that  I  have  commanded  them,  and  according  to  all  the 
law  that  my  servant  Moses  commanded  them. 

Ezra  iii.  2,  6. — 2  Then  stood  up  Jeshua  the  son  of  Jo- 
zadak,  and  his  brethren  the  priests,  and  Zerubbabel  the 
son  of  Shealtiel,  and  his  brethren,  and  builded  the  altar 
of  the  God  of  Israel,  to  offer  burnt  offerings  thereon,  as  it 
is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses  the  man  of  God.  6  From 
the  first  day  of  the  seventh  month  began  they  to  offer 
burnt  offerings  unto  the  Lord.  But  the  foundation  of 
the  temple  of  the  Lord  was  not  yet  laid. 

Ezra  vi.  18  And  they  set  the  priests  in  their  di¬ 
visions,  and  the  Levites  in  their  courses,  for  the  service 
of  God,  which  is  at  Jerusalem;  as  it  is  written  in  the 
book  of  Moses. 

Neh.  i.  7,  8. — 7  We  have  dealt  very  corruptly  against 
thee,  and  have  not  kept  the  commandments,  nor  the 
statutes, nor  the  judgments, which  thou  commandedst  thy 
servant  Moses.  8  Remember,  I  beseech  thee,  the  word 
that  thou  commandedst  thy  servant  Moses,  saying,  if  ye 
transgress,  I  will  scatter  you  abroad  among  the  nations. 

Neh.  viii.  1,  14,  15. — 1  And  all  the  people  gathered 
themselves  together  as  one  man  into  the  street  that  was 
before  the  water  gate ;  and  they  spake  unto  Ezra  the 
scribe  to  bring  the  book  of  the  law  of  Moses,  which  the 
Lord  had  commanded  to  Israel.  14  And  they  found 
written  in  the  law  which  the  Lord  had  commanded 


3i 


by  Moses,  that  the  children  of  Israel  should  dwell  in 
booths  in  the  feast  of  the  seventh  month  :  15  And  that 

they  should  publish  and  proclaim  in  all  their  cities,  and 
in  Jerusalem,  saying,  Go  forth  unto  to  the  mount,  and 
fetch  olive  branches,  and  pine  branches,  and  myrtle 
branches,  and  palm  branches,  and  branches  of  thick  trees, 
to  make  booths,  as  it  is  written. 

Neh.  x,  29  to  39. — 29  They  clave  to  their  brethren,  their 
nobles,  and  entered  into  a  curse,  and  into  an  oath,  to 
walk  in  God’s  law,  which  was  given  by  Moses  the  ser¬ 
vant  of  God,  and  to  observe  and  do  all  the  command¬ 
ments  of  the  Lord  our  Lord,  and  his  judgments  and 
his  statutes ;  30  And  that  we  would  not  give  our 

daughters  unto  the  people  of  the  land,  nor  take  their 
daughters  for  our  sons:  31  And  if  the  people  of  the 
land  bring  ware  or  any  victuals  on  the  sabbath  day  to 
sell,  that  we  would  not  buy  it  of  them  on  the  sabbath, 
or  on  the  holy  day  :  and  that  we  would  leave  the  seventh 
year,  and  the  exaction  of  every  debt.  32  Also  we 
made  ordinances  for  us,  to  charge  ourselves  yearly 
with  the  third  part  of  a  shekel  for  the  service  of  the  house 
of  our  God  ;  33  For  the  shewbread,  and  for  the  con¬ 
tinual  meat  offering,  and  for  the  continual  burnt  offering, 
of  the  sabbaths,  of  the  new  moons,  for  the  set  feasts,  and 
for  the  holy  things ,  and  for  the  sin  offerings  to  make  an 
atonement  for  Israel,  and  for  all  the  work  of  the  house 
of  our  God.  34  And  we  cast  the  lots  among  the  priests, 
the  Levites,  and  the  people,  for  the  wood  offering,  to 
bring  it  into  the  house  of  our  God,  after  the  houses  of 
our  fathers,  at  times  appointed  year  by  year,  to  burn 
upon  the  altar  of  the  Lord  our  God,  as  it  is  written  in 
the  law  :  35  And  to  bring  the  flrstfruits  of  our  ground, 

and  the  firstfruits  of  all  fruit  of  all  trees,  year  by  year, 
unto  the  house  of  the  Lord  :  36  Also  the  firstborn  of 

our  sons,  and  of  our  cattle,  as  it  is  written  in  the  law, 
and  the  firstlings  of  our  herds  and  of  our  flocks,  to  bring 
to  the  house  of  our  God,  unto  the  priests  that  minister 
in  the  house  of  our  God  :  3 7  And  that  we  should  bring 

the  firstfruits  of  our  dough,  and  our  offerings,  and  the 


32 


fruit  of  all  manner  of  trees,  of  wine  and  of  oil,  unto  the 
priests,  to  the  chambers  of  the  house  of  our  God  ;  and 
the  tithes  of  our  ground  unto  the  Levites,  that  the  same 
Levites  might  have  the  tithes  in  all  the  cities  of  our  til¬ 
lage.  38  And  the  priest  the  son  of  Aaron  shall  be  with 
the  Levites,  when  the  Levites  take  tithes :  and  the  Le¬ 
vites  shall  bring  up  the  tithe  of  the  tithes  unto  the  house 
of  our  God,  to  the  chambers,  into  the  treasure  house. 
39  For  the  children  of  Israel  and  the  children  of 
Levi  shall  bring  the  offering  of  the  corn,  of  the  new 
wine,  and  the  oil,  unto  the  chambers,  where  are  the 
vessels  of  the  sanctuary,  and  the  priests  that  minister, 
and  the  porters,  and  the  singers:  and  we  will  not 
forsake  the  house  of  our  God. 

Neh.  xiii.  1  On  that  day  they  read  in  the  book  of 
Moses  in  the  audience  of  people  ;  and  therein  was  found 
written,  that  the  Ammonite  and  the  Moabite  should  not 
come  into  the  congregation  of  God  for  ever. 

1  Chron.  vi.  49  But  Aaron  and  his  sons  offered 
upon  the  altar  of  the  burnt  offering,  and  on  the  altar  of 
incense,  and  were  appointed  for  all  the  work  of  the  place 
most  holy,  and  to  make  an  atonement  for  Israel,  accord¬ 
ing  to  all  that  Moses  the  servant  of  God  had  com¬ 
manded. 

Dan.  ix.  n,  13.— 11  Yea,  all  Israel  have  transgressed 
thy  law,  even  by  departing,  that  they  might  not  obey 
thy  voice ;  therefore  the  curse  is  poured  upon  us,  and 
the  oath  that  is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses  the  servant 
of  God,  because  we  have  sinned  against  him.  13  As  it 
is  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  all  this  evil  is  come  upon 
11s :  yet  made  we  not  our  prayer  before  the  Lord  our 
God,  that  we  might  turn  from  our  iniquities,  and  under¬ 
stand  thy  truth. 

Matt.  xix.  7,  9 .—7  They  say  unto  him,  Why  did 
Moses  then  command  to  give  a  writing  of  divorcement, 
and  to  put  her  away  ?  8  He  saith  unto  them,  Moses 

because  of  the  hardness  of  your  hearts  suffered  you  to 
put  away  your  wives :  but  from  the  beginning  it  was 
not  so. 


33 


Mk.  vii.  io.  For  Moses  said,  Honour  thy  father  and 
thy  mother  ;  and,  Whoso  curseth  father  or  mother,  let 
him  die  the  death  : 

Luke  xxiv.  27,  44. — 27  And  beginning  at  Moses  and 
all  the  prophets,  he  expounded  unto  them  in  all  the 
Scriptures  the  things  concerning  himself.  44  And  he 
said  unto  them,  These  are  the  words  which  I  spake  unto 
you  while  I  was  yet  with  you,  that  all  things  must  be 
fulfilled,  which  were  written  in  the  law  of  Moses,  and 
in  the  prophets,  and  in  the  psalms,  concerning  me. 

Luke  xx.  28,  37. — 28  Saying,  Master,  Moses  wrote  unto 
us,  If  any  man’s  brother  die,  leaving  a  wife,  and  he  die 
without  children,  that  his  brother  should  take  his  wife, 
and  raise  up  seed  unto  his  brother.  37  Now  that  the 
dead  are  raised,  even  Moses  showed  at  the  bush,  when 
he  calleth  the  Lord  the  God  of  Abraham,  and  the  God 
of  Isaac,  and  the  God  of  Jacob. 

John  i.  45.  Philip  findeth  Nathaneal,  and  saith 
unto  him,  We  have  found  him,  of  whom  Moses  in  the 
law,  and  the  prophets,  did  write,  Jesus  of  Nazareth,  the 
son  of  Joseph. 

John  v.  45  to  47. — 45  Do  not  think  that  I  will  accuse 
you  to  the  Father :  there  is  one  that  accuseth  you,  even 
Moses,  in  whom  ye  trust.  46  For  had  ye  believed 
Moses,  ye  would  have  believed  me :  for  he  wrote  of  me. 
47  But  if  ye  believe  not  his  writings,  how  shall  ye  be¬ 
lieve  my  words  ? 

John  vii.  19,  23. — 19  Did  not  Moses  give  you  the  law, 
and  yet  none  of  you  keepeth  the  law  ?  Why  go  ye  about 
to  kill  me?  23  If  a  man  on  the  sabbath  day  receive  cir¬ 
cumcision,  that  the  law  of  Moses  should  not  be  broken  ; 
are  ye  angry  at  me,  because  I  have  made  a  man  every 
whit  whole  on  the  sabbath  day  ? 

Romans  x.  19.  But  I  say.  Did  not  Israel  know  ? 
First  Moses  saith,  I  will  provoke  you  to  jealousy  by 
them  that  are  no  people,  and  by  a  foolish  nation  I  will 
anger  you. 

Acts  iii.  22.  For  Moses  truly  said  unto  the  fa¬ 
thers,  A  Prophet  shall  the  Lord  vour  God  raise  up 


34 


unto  you  of  your  brethren,  like  unto  me;  him  shall  ye 
hear  in  all  things  whatsoever  he  shall  say  unto  you. 

Acts  vii.  37,  38.-37  This  is  that  Moses,  which  said 
unto  the  children  of  Israel,  A  Prophet  shall  the  Lord 
your  God  raise  up  unto  you  of  your  brethren,  like  unto 
me;  him  shall  ye  hear.  38  This  is  he,  that  was  in  the 
church  in  the  wilderness  with  the  angel  which  spake  to 
him  in  the  mount  Sina,  and  with  our  fathers:  who  re¬ 
ceived  the  lively  oracles  to  give  unto  us : 

Acts  xv.  21.  For  Moses  of  old  time  hath  in  every 
city  them  that  preach  him,  being  read  in  the  synagogues 
every  sabbath  day. 

Matt.  xii.  17,  18.— 17  That  it  might  be  fulfilled  which 
was  spoken  by  Esaias  the  prophet,  saying,  18  Behold 
my  servant,  whom  I  have  chosen  ;  my  beloved,  in  whom 
my  soul  is  well  pleased :  I  will  put  my  Spirit  upon  him, 
and  he  shall  shew  judgment  to  the  Gentiles. 

Luke  iii.  4. — As  it  is  written  in  the  book  of  the  words 
of  Esaias  the  prophet,  saying,  The  voice  of  one  crying 
in  the  wilderness,  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make 
his  paths  straight. 

Luke  iv.  17,  18. — 17  And  there  was  delivered  unto 
him  the  book  of  the  prophet  Esaias.  And  when  he  had 
opened  the  book,  he  found  the  place  where  it  was  writ¬ 
ten,  18  The  Spirit  of  the  Lord  is  upon  me,  because  he 
hath  anointed  me  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  poor ;  he 
hath  sent  me  to  heal  the  broken-hearted,  to  preach  deliv¬ 
erance  to  the  captives,  and  recovering  of  sight  to  the 
blind,  to  set  at  liberty  them  that  are  bruised. 

John  xii.  38,  41. — 38  That  the  saying  of  Esaias  the 
prophet  might  be  fulfilled,  which  he  spake,  Lord,  who 
hath  believed  our  report?  and  to  whom  hath  the  arm  of 
the  Lord  been  revealed  ?  41  These  things  said  Esaias, 
when  he  saw  his  glory,  and  spake  of  him. 

Rom.  x.  16,  20. — 16  But  they  have  not  all  obeyed  the 
gospel.  For  Esaias  saith,  Lord,  who  hath  believed  our 
report?  20  But  Esaias  is  very  bold,  and  saith,  I  was 
found  of  them  that  sought  me  not ;  I  was  made  manifest 
unto  them  that  asked  not  after  me. 


35 

These  statements  are  contrary  to  our  Standards, 
Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Secs.  VIII.,  IX. 

VIII.  The  Old  Testament  in  Hebrew,  (which  was  the 
native  language  of  the  people  of  God  of  old,)  and  the 
New  Testament  in  Greek,  (which  at  the  time  of  the 
writing  of  it  was  most  generally  known  to  the  nations,) 
being  immediately  inspired  by  God,  and  by  his  singular 
care  and  providence,  kept  pure  in  all  ages,  are  therefore 
authentical;  so  as  in  all  controversies  of  religion  the 
church  is  finally  to  appeal  unto  them.  But  because 
these  original  tongues  are  not  known  to  all  the  people 
of  God  who  have  right  unto,  and  interest  in  the  Script¬ 
ures,  and  are  commanded,  in  the  fear  of  God,  to  read 
and  search  them,  therefore  they  are  to  be  translated 
into  the  vulgar  language  of  every  nation  unto  which 
they  come,  that  the  word  of  God  dwelling  plentifully 
in  all,  they  may  worship  him  in  an  acceptable  manner, 
and  through  patience  and  comfort  of  the  Scriptures  may 
have  hope. 

IX.  The  infallible  rule  of  interpretation  of  Scripture 
is  the  Scripture  itself;  and  therefore,  when  there  is  a 
question  about  the  true  and  full  sense  of  any  scripture, 
(which  is  not  manifold,  but  one,)  it  may  be  searched  and 
known  by  other  places  that  speak  more  clearly. 

SPECIFICATION  VII. 

Dr.  Briggs  teaches  that  predictive  prophecy  has  been 
reversed  by  history,  and  that  much  of  it  has  not  and 
never  can  be  fulfilled. 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Page  38,  “  Another  barrier  to  the  Bible  has  been  the 
interpretation  put  upon  Predictive  Prophecy ,  making  it  a 
sort  of  history  before  the  time,  and  looking  anxiously 
for  the  fulfillment  of  the  details  of  Biblical  prediction. 
Kuenen  has  shown  that  if  we  insist  upon  the  fulfillment 
of  the  details  of  the  predictive  prophecy  of  the  Old 
Testament,  many  of  these  predictions  have  been  reversed 


36 

by  history ;  and  the  great  body  of  the  Messianic  predic¬ 
tion  has  not  only  never  been  fulfilled,  but  cannot  now 
be  fulfilled,  for  the  reason  that  its  own  time  has  passed 

forever.” 

These  statements  are  contrary  to  the  Scriptures  : 

Ps.  cv.  8.  He  hath  remembered  his  covenant  for 
ever,  the  word  which  he  commanded  to  a  thousand  gen¬ 
erations. 

Matt.  ii.  5,  6,  17,  18,23.-5  And  they  said  unto  him, 
In  Bethlehem  of  Judea:  for  thus  it  is  written  by  the 
prophet,  6  And  thou  Bethlehem,  in  the  land  of  Juda, 
art  not  the  least  among  the  princes  of  J uda :  for  out  of 
thee  shall  come  a  Governor,  that  shall  rule  my  people 
Israel.  17  Then  was  fulfilled  that  which  was  spoken 
by  Jeremy  the  prophet,  saying,  18  In  Rama  was  there 
a  voice  heard,  lamentation,  and  weeping,  and  great 
mourning,  Rachel  weeping  for  her  children,  and  would 
not  be  comforted,  because  they  are  not.  23  And  he 
came  and  dwelt  in  a  city  called  Nazareth,  that  it  might 
be  fulfilled  which  was  spoken  by  the  prophets,  He  shall 
be  called  a  Nazarene. 

Matt.  v.  1 7,  18.— 17  Think  not  that  I  am  come  to 
destroy  the  law,  or  the  prophets:  I  am  not  come  to 
destroy,  but  to  fulfil.  18  For  verily  I  say  unto  you, 
Till  heaven  and  earth  pass,  one  jot  or  one  tittle  shall  in 
no  wise  pass  from  the  law,  till  all  be  fulfilled. 

Matt.  xxi.  4,  5* — 4  All  this  was  done,  that  it  might  be 
fulfilled  which  was  spoken  by  the  prophet,  saying,  5 
Tell  ye  the  daughter  of  Sion,  Behold,  thy  King  cometh 
unto  thee,  meek,  and  sitting  upon  an  ass,  and  a  colt  the 

foal  of  an  ass. 

IVIatt.  xxiv.  15*  When  ye  therefore  shall  see  the 
abomination  of  desolation,  spoken  of  by  Daniel  the 
prophet,  stand  in  the  holy  place,  (whoso  readeth,  let  him 

understand.) 

Dan.  xii.  11.  And  from  the  time  that  the  daily 
sacrifice  shall  be  taken  away,  and  the  abomination  that 


37 

maketh  desolate  set  up,  there  shall  be  a  thousand  two 
hundred  and  ninety  days. 

Matt.  iii.  3.  For  this  is  he  that  was  spoken  of  by 
the  prophet  Esaias,  saying,  The  voice  of  one  crying  in 
the  wilderness,  Prepare  ye  the  way  of  the  Lord,  make 
his  paths  straight. 

Matt.  xxvi.  54,  56. — 54  But  how  then  shall  the  Script¬ 
ures  be  fulfilled,  that  thus  it  must  be?  56  But  all  this 
was  done,  that  the  Scriptures  of  the  prophets  might  be 
fulfilled.  Then  all  the  disciples  forsook  him,  and  fled. 

Matt,  xxvii.  9,  35. — 9  Then  was  fulfilled  that  which 
was  spoken  by  Jeremy  the  prophet,  saying,  And  they 
took  the  thirty  pieces  of  silver,  the  price  of  him  that 
was  valued,  whom  they  of  the  children  of  Israel  did 
value;  35  And  they  crucified  him,  and  parted  his  gar¬ 
ments,  casting  lots:  that  it  might  be  fulfilled  which  was 
spoken  by  the  prophet,  They  parted  my  garments 
among  them,  and  upon  my  vesture  did  they  cast  lots. 

Mark  xv.  28.  And  the  Scripture  was  fulfilled, 
which  saith,  And  he  was  numbered  with  the  trans¬ 
gressors. 

Luke  iv.  21.  And  he  began  to  say  unto  them, 
This  day  is  this  Scripture  fulfilled  in  your  ears. 

Luke  xvi.  17.  And  it  is  easier  for  heaven  and 
earth  to  pass,  than  one  tittle  of  the  law  to  fail. 

Luke  xviii.  31.  Then  he  took  unto  him  the  twelve, 
and  said  unto  them,  Behold,  we  go  up  to  Jerusalem, 
and  all  things  that  are  written  by  the  prophets  concern¬ 
ing  the  Son  of  man  shall  be  accomplished. 

Luke  xxi.  22.  For  these  be  the  days  of  vengeance, 
that  all  things  which  are  written  may  be  fulfilled. 

Luke  xxiv.  26,  27,  44. — 26  Ought  not  Christ  to  have 
suffered  these  things,  and  to  enter  into  his  glory  ?  27 

And  beginning  at  Moses  and  all  the  prophets,  he  ex¬ 
pounded  unto  them  in  all  the  Scriptures  the  things  con¬ 
cerning  himself.  44  And  he  said  unto  them,  These  are 
the  words  which  I  spake  unto  you,  while  I  was  yet  with 


38 

you,  that  all  things  must  be  fulfilled,  which  were  written 
in  the  law  of  Moses,  and  in  the  prophets,  and  in  the 
psalms,  concerning  me. 

John  xviii.  32.  That  the  saying  of  Jesus  might  be 
fulfilled,  which  he  spake,  signifying  what  death  he  should 
die. 

John  xix.  24.  They  said  therefore  among  them¬ 
selves,  Let  us  not  rend  it,  but  cast  lots  for  it,  whose  it 
shall  be:  that  the  Scripture  might  be  fulfilled,  which 
saith,  They  parted  my  raiment  among  them,  and  for 
my  vesture  they  did  cast  lots.  These  things  therefore 
the  soldiers  did. 

John  xii.  16.  These  things  understood  not  his 
disciples  at  the  first:  but  when  Jesus  was  glorified,  then 
remembered  they  that  these  things  were  written  of  him, 
and  that  they  had  done  these  things  unto  him. 

1  Pet.  i.  10,  11. — 10  Of  which  salvation  the  prophets 

have  inquired  and  searched  diligently,  who  prophesied 
of  the  grace  that  should  come  unto  you :  1 1  Searching 

what,  or  what  manner  of  time  the  Spirit  of  Christ  which 
was  in  them  did  signify,  when  it  testified  beforehand 
the  sufferings  of  Christ,  and  the  glory  that  should  follow. 

Act.  iii.  18.  But  those  things,  which  God  before 
had  shewed  by  the  mouth  of  all  his  prophets,  that  Christ 
should  suffer,  he  hath  so  fulfilled. 

2  Pet.  i.  19.  We  have  also  a  more  sure  word  of 
prophecy;  whereunto  ye  do  well  that  ye  take  heed,  as 
unto  a  light  that  shineth  in  a  dark  place,  until  the  day 
dawn,  and  the  daystar  arise  in  your  hearts. 

These  statements  are  contrary  to  our  Standards, 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  I.,  Secs.  IV.,  V. 

IV.  The  authority  of  the  Holy  Scripture,  for  which 
it  ought  to  be  believed  and  obeyed,  dependeth  not  upon 
the  testimony  of  any  man  or  church,  but  wholly  upon 
God,  (who  is  truth  itself,)  the  author  thereof  ;  and  there¬ 
fore  it  is  to  be  received,  because  it  is  the  word  of  God. 

V.  We  may  be  moved  and  induced  by  the  testimony 
of  the  church  to  an  high  and  reverent  esteem  for  the 


39 


Holy  Scripture ;  and  the  heavenliness  of  the  matter, 
the  efficacy  of  the  doctrine,  the  majesty  of  the  style,  the 
consent  of  all  the  parts,  the  scope  of  the  whole,  (which 
is  to  give  all  glory  to  God,)  the  full  discovery  it  makes 
of  the  only  way  of  man’s  salvation,  the  many  other  in¬ 
comparable  excellencies,  and  the  entire  perfection 
thereof,  are  arguments  whereby  it  doth  abundantly 
evidence  itself  to  be  the  word  of  God  ;  yet,  notwith¬ 
standing,  our  full  persuasion  and  assurance  of  the  in¬ 
fallible  truth,  and  divine  authority  thereof,  is  from  the 
inward  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  bearing  witness  by  and 
with  the  word  in  our  hearts. 

Shorter  Catechism,  4. 

Q.  4.  What  is  GOD  ? 

A.  God  is  a  Spirit,  infinite,  eternal,  and  unchangeable, 
in  his  being,  wisdom,  power,  holiness,  justice,  goodness, 
and  truth. 


Charge  II. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  in  the  United  States  of 
America  charges  the  Reverend  Charles  A.  Briggs,  D.D., 
being  a  Minister  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  and  a 
member  of  the  Presbytery  of  New  York,  with  teaching 
a  doctrine  of  the  character,  state  and  sanctification  of 
believers  after  death,  which  irreconcilably  conflicts 
with  and  is  contrary  to  the  Holy  Scriptures  and  the 
Standards  of  the  Presbyterian  Church. 

SPECIFIC  A  TION. 

In  the  said  inaugural  address,  delivered,  published, 
extensively  circulated  and  republished  as  above  de¬ 
scribed,  Dr.  Briggs  teaches  as  follows : 

INAUGURAL  ADDRESS. 

Pages  53,  54,  55,  “ Another  fault  of  Protestant  theology 
is  in  its  limitation  of  the  process  of  redemption  to  this 
world,  and  its  neglect  of  those  vast  periods  of  time 
which  have  elapsed  for  most  men  in  the  Middle  State 


40 


between  death  and  the  resurrection.  The  Roman  Cath¬ 
olic  Church  is  firmer  here,  though  it  smears  the  Biblical 
doctrine  with  not  a  few  hurtful  errors.  The  reaction 
against  this  limitation,  as  seen  in  the  theory  of  second 
probation,  is  not  surprising.  I  do  not  find  this  doctrine 
in  the  Bible,  but  I  do  find  in  the  Bible  the  doctrine  of  a 
Middle  State  of  conscious  higher  life  in  the  communion 
with  Christ  and  the  multitude  of  the  departed  of  all 
ages ;  and  of  the  necessity  of  entire  sanctification,  in 
order  that  the  work  of  redemption  may  be  completed. 
There  is  no  authority  in  the  Scriptures,  or  in  the  creeds 
of  Christendom,  for  the  doctrine  of  immediate  sanctifi¬ 
cation  at  death.  The  only  sanctification  known  to  ex¬ 
perience,  to  Christian  orthodoxy,  and  to  the  Bible,  is 
progressive  sanctification.  Progressive  sanctification 
after  death,  is  the  doctrine  of  the  Bible  and  the  Church  ; 
and  it  is  of  vast  importance  in  our  times  that  we  should 
understand  it,  and  live  in  accordance  with  it.  The 
bugbear  of  a  judgment  immediately  after  death,  and  the 
illusion  of  a  magical  transformation  in  the  dying  hour 
should  be  banished  from  the  world.  They  are  conceits 
derived  from  the  Ethnic  religions,  and  without  basis  in 
the  Bible  or  Christian  experience  as  expressed  in  the 
symbols  of  the  Church.  The  former  makes  death  a 
terror  to  the  best  of  men,  the  latter  makes  human  life 
and  experience  of  no  effect ;  and  both  cut  the  nerves  of 
Christian  activity  and  striving  after  sanctification. 
Renouncing  them  as  hurtful,  unchristian  errors,  we  look 
with  hope  and  joy  for  the  continuation  of  the  processes 
of  grace,  and  the  wonders  of  redemption  in  the  com¬ 
pany  of  the  blessed,  to  which  the  faithful  are  all  hasten¬ 
ing.” 

Inaugural  Address,  Appendix,  2d  ed.,  pages  107,  108, 
“  Sanctification  has  two  sides — a  negative  and  a  positive 
—mortification  and  vivification  ;  the  former  is  manward, 
the  latter  is  Godward.  Believers  who  enter  the  middle 
state  enter  guiltless ;  they  are  pardoned  and  justified; 
they  are  mantled  in  the  blood  and  righteousness  of 
C  1  rist ;  a  nd  nothing  will  be  able  to  separate  them  from 


4i 

His  love.  They  are  also  delivered  from  all  temptations 
such  as  spring  from  without,  from  the  world  and  the 
devil.  They  are  encircled  with  influences  for  good 
such  as  they  have  never  enjoyed  before.  But  they  are 
still  the  same  persons,  with  all  the  gifts  and  graces,  and 
also  the  same  habits  of  mind,  disposition  and  temper 
they  had  when  they  left  the  world.  Death  destroys  the 
body.  It  does  not  change  the  moral  and  religious 
nature  of  man.  It  is  unpsychological  and  unethical  to 
suppose  that  the  character  of  the  disembodied  spirit 
will  all  be  changed  in  the  moment  of  death.  It  is  the 
Manichean  heresy  to  hold  that  sin  belongs  to  the  physical 
organization  and  is  laid  aside  with  the  body.  If  this 
were  so,  how  can  any  of  our  race  carry  their  evil 
natures  with  them  into  the  middle  state  and  incur  the 
punishment  of  their  sins  ?  The  eternal  punishment  of  a 
man  whose  evil  nature  has  been  stripped  from  him  by 
death  and  left  in  the  grave,  is  an  absurdity.  The  Ply¬ 
mouth  Brethren  hold  that  there  are  two  natures  in  the 
redeemed  the  old  man  and  the  new.  In  accordance 
with  such  a  theory,  the  old  man  might  be  cast  off  at 
death.  But  this  is  only  a  more  subtile  kind  of  Mani- 
cheism,  which  has  ever  been  regarded  as  heretical.  Sin, 
as  our  Saviour  teaches,  has  its  source  in  the  heart — in 
the  higher  and  immortal  part  of  man.  It  is  the  work  of 
sanctification  to  overcome  sin  in  the  higher  nature.” 

This  doctrine  is  contrary  to  the  Scripture : 

John  i.  29.  The  next  day  John  seeth  Jesus  coming 
unto  him,  and  saith,  Behold  the  Lamb  of  God,  which 
taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world  ! 

Luke  xvi.  22,  26. — 22  And  it  came  to  pass,  that  the 
beggar  died,  and  was  carried  by  the  angels  into  Abra¬ 
ham’s  bosom :  the  rich  man  also  died,  and  was  buried  ; 
26  And  beside  all  this,  between  us  and  you  there  is  a 
great  gulf  fixed  :  so  that  they  which  would  pass  from 
hence  to  you  cannot ;  neither  can  they  pass  to  us,  that 
would  come  from  thence. 

2  Cor.  v.  1  to  10. —  1  For  we  know  that,  if  our  earthly 
house  of  this  tabernacle  were  dissolved,  we  have  a 


42 

building  of  God,  a  house  not  made  with  hands,  eternal 
in  the  heavens.  2  For  in  this  we  groan,  earnestly  de¬ 
siring  to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  house  which  is  from 
heaven :  3  If  so  be  that  being  clothed  we  shall  not  be 
found  naked.  4  For  we  that  are  in  this  tabernacle  do 
groan,  being  burdened:  not  for  that  we  would  be  un¬ 
clothed,  but  clothed  upon,  that  mortality  might  be  swal¬ 
lowed  up  of  life.  5  Now  he  that  has  wrought  us  for  the 
selfsame  thing  is  God,  who  also  hath  given  unto  us  the 
the  earnest  of  the  Spirit.  6  Therefore  we  are  always 
confident,  knowing  that,  whilst  we  are  at  home  in  the 
body,  we  are  absent  from  the  Lord  :  7  (For  we  walk 

by  faith,  not  by  sight:)  8  We  are  confident,  I  say,  and 
willing  rather  to  be  absent  from  the  body,  and  to  be 
present  with  the  Lord.  9  WTerefore  we  labour,  that, 
whether  present  or  absent,  we  may  be  accepted  of  him. 
10  For  we  must  all  appear  before  the  judgment  seat  of 
Christ ;  that  every  one  may  receive  the  things  done  in 
his  body,  according  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be 
good  or  bad. 

Matt.  xxvi.  41. — 41  Watch  and  pray,  that  ye  enter 
not  into  temptation :  the  spirit  indeed  is  willing,  but 
the  flesh  is  weak. 

1  John  iii.  2,  9,  10.— 2  Beloved,  now  are  we  the  sons 
of  God,  and  it  doth  not  yet  appear  what  we  shall  be : 
but  we  know  that,  when  he  shall  appear,  we  shall  be 
like  him  ;  for  we  shall  see  him  as  he  is.  9  Whosoever 
is  born  of  God  doth  not  commit  sin :  for  his  seed  re- 
maineth  in  him  :  and  he  cannot  commit  sin,  because  he 
is  born  of  God.  10  In  this  the  children  of  God  are 
manifest,  and  the  children  of  the  devil:  whosoever 
doeth  not  righteousness  is  not  of  God,  neither  he  that 
loveth  not  his  brother. 

1  Tim.  iv.  7,  8.-7  But  refuse  profane  and  old  wives’ 
fables,  and  exercise  thyself  rather  unto  godliness.  8  For 
bodily  exercise  profiteth  little :  but  godliness  is  profit¬ 
able  unto  all  things,  having  promise  of  the  life  that  now 
is,  and  of  that  which  is  to  come. 

Rev.  iii.  4,  5. — 4  Thou  hast  a  few  names  even  in  Sar- 


43 

dis  which  have  not  defiled  their  garments ;  and  they 
shall  walk  with  me  in  white :  for  they  are  worthy. 
5  He  that  overcometh,  the  same  shall  be  clothed  in 
white  raiment ;  and  I  will  not  blot  out  his  name  out  of 
the  book  of  life,  but  I  will  confess  his  name  before  my 
Father,  and  before  his  angels. 

Rev.  vii.  9,  13,  14. — 9  After  this  I  beheld,  and,  lo, 
a  great  multitude,  which  no  man  could  number,  of  all 
nations,  and  kindreds,  and  people,  and  tongues,  stood 
before  the  throne,  and  before  the  Lamb,  clothed  with 
white  robes,  and  palms  in  their  hands;  13  And  one  of 
the  elders  answered,  saying  unto  me,  What  are  these 
which  are  arrayed  in  white  robes?  and  whence  came 
they  ?  14  And  I  said  unto  him,  Sir,  thou  knowest. 

And  he  said  to  me,  These  are  they  which  came  out  of 
great  tribulation,  and  have  washed  their  robes,  and 
made  them  white  in  the  blood  of  the  Lamb. 

Rev.  xiv.  13.  And  I  heard  a  voice  from  heaven  say¬ 
ing  unto  me,  Write,  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in 
the  Lord  from  henceforth:  Yea,  saith  the  Spirit,  that 
they  may  rest  from  their  labours ;  and  their  works  do 
follow  them. 

Rev.  xix.  8.  And  to  her  was  granted  that  she 
should  be  arrayed  in  fine  linen,  clean  and  white  :  for  the 
fine  linen  is  the  righteousness  of  saints. 

Heb.  xii.  23.  To  the  general  assembly  and  church 
of  the  firstborn,  which  are  written  in  heaven,  and  to  God 

the  Judge  of  all,  and  to  the  spirits  of  just  men  made 
perfect. 

Eph.  v.  26,  27. — 26  That  he  might  sanctify  and  cleanse 
it  with  the  washing  of  water  by  the  word.  27  That  he 
might  present  it  to  himself  a  glorious  church,  not  hav- 
ing  spot,  or  wrinkle,  or  any  such  thing ;  but  that  it 
should  be  holy  and  without  blemish. 

1  Cor.  xv.  51,  52. — 51  Behold,  I  shew  you  a  mystery; 
We  shall  not  all  sleep,  but  we  shall  all  be  changed, 

52  In  a  moment,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  at  the  last 
trump  :  for  the  trumpet  shall  sound,  and  the  dead  shall 
be  raised  incorruptible,  and  we  shall  be  changed. 


44 

i  Thess.  iv.  16,  17. — 16  For  the  Lord  himself  shall 
descend  from  heaven  with  a  shout,  with  the  voice  of 
the  archangel,  and  with  the  trump  of  God:  and  the 
dead  in  Christ  shall  rise  first :  17  Then  we  which  are 

alive  and  remain  shall  be  caught  up  together  with  them 
in  the  clouds,  to  meet  the  Lord  in  the  air :  and  so  shall 
we  ever  be  with  the  Lord. 

Eph.  iii.  15,  16. — 15  Of  whom  the  whole  family  in 
heaven  and  earth  is  named,  16  That  he  would  grant 
you,  according  to  the  riches  of  his  glory,  to  be  strength¬ 
ened  with  might  by  his  Spirit  in  the  inner  man. 

This  doctrine  is  contrary  to  our  Standaids, 

Confession  of  Faith,  Chap.  XXXII.,  Sec.  I. 

I.  The  bodies  of  men,  after  death,  return  to  dust,  and 
see  corruption ;  but  their  souls  (which  neither  die  nor 
sleep),  having  an  immortal  subsistence,  immediately 
return  to  God  who  gave  them.  The  souls  of  the 
righteous,  being  then  made  perfect  in  holiness, ,  are 
received  into  the  highest  heavens,  where  they  behold 
the  face  of  God  in  light  and  glory,  waiting  for  the  full 
redemption  of  their  bodies  :  and  the  souls  of  the  wicked 
are  cast  into  hell,  where  they  remain  in  toiments  and 
utter  darkness,  reserved  to  the  judgment  of  the  great 
day.  Besides  these  two  places  for  souls  separated  from 
their  bodies,  the  Scripture  acknowledgeth  none. 

Larger  Catechism,  86. 

Q.  86.  What  is  the  communion  in  glory  with  Christ , 
which  the  members  of  the  invisible  church  enjoy  immediately 
after  death  ? 

A.  The  communion  in  glory  with  Christ,  which  the 
members  of  the  invisible  church  enjoy  immediately 
after  death,  is  in  that  their  souls  are  then  made  perfect 
in  holiness,  and  received  into  the  highest  heavens, 
where  they  behold  the  face  of  God  in  light  and  glory ; 
waiting  for  the  full  redemption  of  their  bodies,  which 
even  in  death  continue  united  to  Christ,  and  rest  in  their 
graves  as  in  their  beds,  till  at  the  last  day  they  be  again 
united  to  their  souls.  Whereas  the  souls  of  the  wicked 


45 


are  at  their  death  cast  into  hell,  where  they  remain  in 
torments  and  utter  darkness ;  and  their  bodies  kept  in 
their  graves  as  in  their  prisons,  until  the  resurrection 
and  judgment  of  the  great  day. 

Shorter  Catechism,  37. 

Q.  37.  What  benefit  do  believers  receive  from  Christ  at 
their  death  ? 

A.  The  souls  of  believers  are  at  their  death  made  per¬ 
fect  in  holiness,  and  do  immediately  pass  into  glory ; 
and  their  bodies,  being  still  united  to  Christ,  do  rest  in 
their  graves  till  the  resurrection. 


Your  Committee  recommend  that  in  compliance  with 
the  provisions  of  Section  19  of  the  Book  of  Discipline,  a 
copy  of  the  charges  and  specifications  be  now  served 
upon  Dr.  Briggs,  and  that  a  citation,  signed  in  the  name 
of  the  Presbytery  by  the  Moderator  or  Clerk,  be  per¬ 
sonally  served  upon  Dr.  Briggs,  citing  him  to  appear 
and  plead  to  said  charges  and  specifications  at  an  early 
day. 


All  of  which  is  respectfully  submitted. 


In  behalf  of  the  Committee, 

G.  W.  F.  Birch,  Chairman . 


■ 


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